Senior Executive Director of Schools

Location: Hattie Mae White \n\nDepartment: Chief of Schools Office \n\nArea:District Wide \n\nContract Months:12 \n\nSalary Range: $190,000.00 \u2013 $235,000.00 \n\nAcademic Year: 26-27 \n\n## JOB SUMMARY\n\nThe Senior Executive Director of Schools directly reports to the Deputy Chief of Schools to ensure that instructional and operational systems across schools are tightly aligned to the district\u2019s vision, mission, and action plan. This role is responsible for driving coherence between central office strategy and campus execution, ensuring that Executive Directors and schools receive seamless, high-quality support that accelerates student outcomes. The Senior Executive Director of Schools supports and develops Executive Directors, Principals, and Assistant Principals to strengthen instructional leadership, operational effectiveness, and leadership capacity. This position requires exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills along with instructional and operational acumen, as well as the ability to translate district priorities into consistent, high-impact practices at the school level. \nThe Senior Executive Director of Schools will continually collaborate with stakeholders, including district leadership, principals, teachers, and support staff, to promote positive student outcomes and organizational effectiveness.\n\n## MAJOR DUTIES \u0026 RESPONSIBILITIES\n\n1\\. Strategic Leadership: \n\u2022 Supports the Chief of Schools office and divisions, including, but not limited to, campus academic outcomes, instructional support, professional development, operational effectiveness, and collaborative efforts across all HISD departments. \n\u2022 Support the effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials at campuses within the assigned division, such as HISD curriculum. \n\u2022 Insists, with support (including but not limited to, coaching and feedback with EDI\u2019s, professional development of EDI\u2019s and campus PLC protocols) on high quality instruction across HISD. \n\u2022 Drive alignment and consistency in instructional practices, leadership actions, and operational systems across the division to ensure equitable outcomes for students. \n\u2022 Foster a collaborative and supportive work culture that promotes innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement. \n\u2022 Support the Chief of Schools office and divisions, including campus academic outcomes, instructional support, professional development, and operational effectiveness, ensuring all efforts are anchored in district priorities. \n\n2\\. Operations Management: \n\u2022 Collaborates with central office department Chiefs to lead and support the operations of central office vertical teams housed in the division offices, including human resources, finance, facilities, technology, transportation, and student services. \n\u2022 In collaboration with the Chief of Schools Office, will develop and implement policies, procedures, and systems to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness across HISD schools. \n\u2022 Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and procedures. \n3\\. Budgeting and Financial Management: \n\u2022 Provide guidance and support to Principals in budget planning and expenditure control. \n\u2022 Support EDS and EDI\u2019s in the spring Crosswalk of staff, based on budget and allocations. \n\u2022 Analyze financial data and identify opportunities for cost savings within the division or Schools Office and resource optimization.\n\n## MAJOR DUTIES \u0026 RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED\n\n4\\. Personnel Management: \n\u2022 Conduct non-biased, professional, and timely performance and culture evaluations, provide feedback, and implement corrective actions among EDI\u2019s and vertical alignment teams (in collaboration with department Chiefs) as requested. \n5\\. Stakeholder Collaboration: \n\u2022 Collaborate with district leadership, principals, and other stakeholders to identify and address instructional and operational needs and challenges. \n\u2022 Facilitate effective communication and coordination between central office departments, community, and school sites. \n\u2022 Serve as a liaison between the Division Units, COS Office, and external entities, such as government agencies, community organizations, and vendors.\n\n## EDUCATION\n\nMaster\u0027s degree in education administration, business administration, organizational leadership, strategic leadership, or a related field.\n\n## WORK EXPERIENCE\n\n4+ years \nExperience in executive leadership positions overseeing and leading principals in an educational organization on both instructional content and operational effectiveness. \n\n## SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION\n\n\u2022 Strong knowledge of administrative functions, policies, and regulations related to K-12 education. \n\u2022 Proven track record of strategic planning, organizational development, and change management. \n\u2022 Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders. \n\u2022 Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. \n\u2022 Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on data-driven decision-making. \n\u2022 Knowledge of financial management principles and budgeting processes. \n\u2022 Familiarity with educational technologies and their integration into administrative functions. \n\u2022 Ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.\n\n## LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES\n\n\u2022 Strategic oversight for multiple departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. \n\u2022 Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. \n\u2022 Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. \n\u2022 Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district-wide.\n\n## WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT\n\nWork is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.\n\n## BUDGET AUTHORITY\n\nParticipates in a group plan and/or budget development.\n\n## PROBLEM SOLVING\n\nDecisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.\n\n## IMPACT OF DECISIONS\n\nDecisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the organization district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.\n\n## COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS\n\nNegotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.\n\n## CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS\n\nLeads others in the resolution of highly sensitive and confidential issues on behalf of the department. Acts as a trusted advisor, and becomes involved in the customer\u0027s decision making process including presenting alternatives and information and applying persuasion and negotiation skills in the resolution of problems. Monitors customer service standards.\n\n## WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS\n\nWork is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements. \nAbility to carry and/or lift less than 45 pounds.\n\nHouston Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer. \n